Introduction

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are fairly common, but not usually serious, and can be effectively treated with antibiotics.

The urinary tract is where our bodies make and get rid of urine. It comprises the kidneys, and stretches out to the ureters (the tubes connecting the kidneys to the bladder), down to the bladder, and finally the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body).

Upper UTIs are potentially more serious because there is a chance they could lead to long-term problems such as kidney scarring and high blood pressure (hypertension). However, the risk of these problems is low if the infection is treated promptly.

Signs and symptoms

It can be difficult to tell whether a child has a UTI, because the symptoms can be vague and young children cannot easily communicate how they feel.

What causes UTIs in children?

Most UTIs in children are caused by bacteria from the digestive system entering the urethra.

There are many ways this can happen, but it often occurs when a child wipes their bottom, and soiled toilet paper comes into contact with their genitals. This is more of a problem for girls than boys, because girls' bottoms are much nearer the urethra.

There is often no obvious reason why some children develop UTIs and others do not, although it can sometimes occur due to a problem affecting the flow of urine through the urinary system. This can lead to a build-up of urine that bacteria can get into more easily.

For example, UTIs are more common in children with:

constipation, as this can place pressure on their bladder and prevent it from draining normally

problems with the valves in their ureters, as this can mean urine flows the wrong way up the urinary tract

Who is affected

UTIs are a relatively common infection during childhood.

They are more common in boys up to the age of six months old, but after this tend to be more common in girls. It is estimated that around 1 in 10 girls and 1 in 30 boys will have had a UTI by the time they turn 16.

How UTIs in children are treated

Most childhood UTIs will clear up within 24 to 48 hours of treatment with antibiotics and won't cause any long-term problems.

In many cases, treatment will involve your child taking antibiotic tablets at home. For lower UTIs, a three-day course of antibiotics is usually recommended. For upper UTIs, a 7 to 10-day course of antibiotics is usually recommended.

As a precaution, babies under three months old and children with more severe symptoms are usually admitted to hospital for a few days to receive antibiotics directly into a vein (intravenous antibiotics).

Can UTIs in children be prevented?

It isn't possible to prevent all childhood UTIs, but there are some things you can do to reduce your child's risk, such as:

encouraging girls to wipe their bottom from front to back and boys to clean around their foreskin regularly

making sure your child drinks enough and goes to the toilet regularly

buying loose-fitting cotton underwear for your child instead of underwear made from nylon or other synthetic materials

include enough fibre in your child's diet to help prevent constipation

If your child has a problem in their urinary tract that increases their risk of UTIs, such as faulty valves that allow urine to flow the wrong way, they may be prescribed low-dose antibiotics as a long-term measure to prevent further infections.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

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GP Dr Sarah Jarvis talks about how urinary tract infections (UTIs) are caused, the symptoms and the treatment options available.
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